Amazon, Whole Foods Announce Launch Of Delivery Service

Whole Foods Market is at 3804 Oleander Drive in Wilmington. (Photo from Loopnet.com)

Amazon and Whole Foods Market announced Wednesday that they have launched delivery of natural and organic products from Whole Foods Market through Prime Now in Wilmington and other towns across the U.S.

The news comes as more grocery stores and delivery services are expanding their reach in the Cape Fear region and elsewhere to capture demand from shoppers for more convenience.

“With our goal to cover as many Prime customers as possible with this new service in Wilmington, N.C., our coverage is expansive,” said Tanvi Patel, head of business development for Prime Now, in an email. “Today we’re excited to reach customers from Montague in the north, to Kure Beach in the south, and from Delco in the west to Figure Eight Island in the east.”

Two-hour delivery is free for orders of more than $35, according to a test of the Prime Now service, and $4.99 for orders under $35.

The other communities the service is now available in include Greensboro; Chattanooga and Knoxville, Tennessee; Destin and Tallahassee, Florida; Allentown, Pennsylvania; Fort Collins, Colorado; Huntsville and Montgomery, Alabama; Jackson, Mississippi; Palm Desert, California; and Portland, Maine.

"Starting today, Prime members in those cities can shop through Prime Now for thousands of bestselling items including fresh produce, high-quality meat and seafood, everyday staples and other locally sourced items from Whole Foods Market and enjoy delivery in as little as an hour. The service is now available in 88 U.S. metros and will continue to expand throughout 2019," the release stated.

Christina Minardi, Whole Foods Market executive vice president of operations, said in the release, “Prime Now delivery continues to be a hit with our customers and we’re excited to introduce the service to even more Prime members across the country,"

The release stated that Prime members can shop thousands of items across fresh and organic produce, bakery, dairy, meat and seafood, floral and everyday staples from Whole Foods Market available for delivery.

"Select alcohol is also available for delivery to customers in Destin and Tallahassee, Fla., Greensboro and Wilmington, N.C. and Palm Desert, Calif.," the release stated.

Delivery is available daily from 8 a.m. to 10 p.m., with more information online.